Philodendron Giganteum Care (Proven Step By Step Ultimate Guides)
The name implies that everything in these pants is massive. People would mainly consider growing the Philodendron giganteum to add more volume to a space or to fill out an area in the garden by planting the foliage.
According to Colorado State University, the Philodendron giganteum is part of the Araceae family.
Leaves are vibrant, shiny green, which stretch out into gigantic elephant-ear-shaped forms as the plant grows older. It can grow as large as 2 feet (60cm).
In the right conditions under the right conditions, the entire plant can quickly grow to many feet tall.
It’s not a delicate accent plant but rather a filler. Gorgeous and lush green, I suggest you plant Philodendron giganteum to add volume to vast empty spaces, whether outdoors or indoors, to get the most from this beautiful plant.
Before we begin our journey deep into Philodendron giganteum’s treatment, we must learn more about its roots.
Many opinions are floating around regarding this subject, but I prefer USDA, which says they are native to the Caribbean islands.
Therefore, I cultivate Philodendron giganteum like I would an exotic house plant, and it does a fantastic job.
The treatment for Philodendron giganteum is simply creating a tropical-like environment that provides ample warm light, warmth, and humidity.
How do you identify the presence of a Philodendron giganteum?
Knowing how to identify a giganteum Philodendron is helpful since there are various large philodendron varieties with different requirements for care.
Most nurseries call them “Giant Philo” without telling you which one!
It’s that simple. Philodendron giganteum has lush heart-shaped green leaves that are completely rounded and not pinned.
The leaf’s underside is a prominent midrib, with veins that stretch towards the edges. They all become visible when light hits the leaves.
While many of the common philodendron species are very vine-like, the Philodendron giganteum is a bit like self-headers from my observations, i.e., its stalks of leaves are set together so tightly that the stem isn’t apparent until those leaf stalks are lower (older) leaves are removed.
Let’s dive into this comprehensive Philodendron giganteum treatment guide. I’ll give you helpful tips on how you can increase the growth of Philodendron giganteum to the fullest extent possible.
Philodendron giganteum Guide to Care
Philodendron Giganteum Soil Mixture
If you’re looking to grow Philodendron giganteum inside the container, it is possible to get the best results with a dense, loose potting soil that drains well and is full of organic matter and sphagnum, and moss.
A simple solution is to purchase a mix of succulents or cactus with perlite and peat moss. Make sure to throw several clumps or clumps with organic matter, such as brick pieces, coconut husk, coconut bark, and so on, because roots will love wrapping themselves around them.
Philodendron giganteum care gets an easy task if you’re trying to grow these plants outdoors, straight into the soil.
Any place that drains soil quickly is suitable. They thrive in organic matter-rich soil. Therefore, use lots of leaf mulch, sterile compost, etc., which helps the soil retain water.
Pro tip: choose an elevated spot at the border of your garden or the mountain of the tree to establish Philodendron giganteum. This way, the landscape will allow the natural drainage of water.
Philodendron Giganteum Light Requirements
Philodendron giganteum requires 70-85% sunlight. By watching the leaves, you will see nature’s plans regarding Philodendron giganteum treatment.
The leaves are deep green, which implies they require lots of sunlight to create chlorophyll. They are also large this indicates the plant’s adaption to the limited light that comes from the canopy of tall tropical trees, resulting in lots of cool shade.
Copy this filtering sunlight low, and your giant Philo will be stunning.
If you’re looking to grow Philodendron giganteum in an indoor environment, It can tolerate shade but lose some color from the leaves and exhibit slower growth. They grow faster when they are exposed to semi-bright light. They do not thrive in direct sunlight since the sun’s heat can burn the leaves.
If you reside in colder regions, you should grow Philodendron giganteum indoors, in pots. They can be placed under fluorescent lighting during the winter months.
Philodendron Giganteum Watering
The most confusing aspect of Philodendron giganteum care is watering. When purchasing the plant, nurserymen will advise that you should dry the soil in between the watering.
Based on my personal experience, the plants are awed by moisture. The best care for the Philodendron giganteum depends on the season, the climate zone, and the growing conditions you have.
If you are in the tropics and have Philodendron giganteum outside in the soil, You can water it daily.
If you are growing Philodendron giganteum in a well-drained container, as described in the previous paragraph, let the top few inches dry before you repeat the drench.
It is the time of the year when the plants bloom: months, i.e., both summer and spring. In the winter and fall, you may cut down on watering, but do not let your plant become deficient in water as a rule of thumb.
If you reside in colder regions, putting your food in pots is the most secure method. A light watering every week during summer and little watering in winter is the best option.
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Temperature
Philodendron giganteum’s care and maintenance are governed by its tropical character. It is a lover of warmth, and the most productive growth is seen close to the edge of the equator.
The ideal temperature range is 55 and 80 Celsius (13-27 degrees Celsius).
Anyone can benefit from cultivating this plant if you ensure it’s kept at ambient temperature throughout the day and does not fall below 55°F (13 degrees Celsius).
In winter, it is best to keep your plant inside.
Humidity
Like all tropical plants, humidity is good for growing the Philodendron giganteum. They are amazed by the mist, which helps them stay clean and fresh.
Maintain a humidity of 60% for the greatest results in terms of growth and health of the plant.
Giving the leaves a bath in a sponge is also possible to make them look clean and shiny. Spray them with mist as frequently as 3 to 4 times per week in winter, when the humidity in your home is extremely low.
You could also use humidifiers to provide your Philodendron giganteum in ideal conditions during dry seasons.
Fertilizing
I have Philodendron giganteum growing in a soil mix rich in organic manure. I do not believe that it requires much additional fertilization.
It is an herb well-suited to regular feeds; however, when mixed with soil rich in nutrients, decomposed leaf and bark matter is a source of the plant’s organic food.
If you’re growing it in pots, the bi-monthly care plan may include an organically balanced fertilizer that can be purchased at the local supermarket.
It is recommended to use it only during the growing season. Be aware that you should stop feeding the plant entirely in winter. The care for winter Philodendron giganteum is to be restricted to moisture management.
I choose organic fertilizers over chemical fertilizers, especially for aroids such as the philodendrons, because they are slow-release and safe to use. If you’re using chemical fertilizer
I’d suggest that you opt for an appropriate liquid foliage booster. This lets you reduce the amount of fertilizer quickly. It is recommended to reduce the fertilizer’s concentration to less than half of the amount recommended. Over-use fertilizer curls the tips of the leaves and can kill the plant.
Philodendron Giganteum Propagation
Philodendron giganteum isn’t exactly the most straightforward plant to propagate, unfortunately. The climbing philodendrons are easy to propagate using stem cuttings placed in water.
For self-headers, such as Philodendron giganteum, the methods are more complicated and usually unsuitable for gardeners at home.
There are solutions and ways to do it. If you’re fortunate, your Philodendron giganteum can release plantlets that can be planted in separate pots once they’ve grown in size.
Learn a step-by-step guide to propagating and cultivating Philodendron giganteum.
Different ways to grow Philodendron giganteum.
Self-headers can cultivate Philodendron giganteum inside pots or on the ground for a long period before it starts climbing.
If the plant isn’t too big, you can plant Philodendron giganteum on a tabletop in a pot of a smaller size and, as it grows, it can be moved to the ground, but ultimately, you must place it in a straight line on the ground for the best visual impact due to its size.
Philodendron giganteum care does not ask to be pruned regularly.
Trim any leaves with discolored stems or dead aerial roots using sharp garden scissors to give your garden a tidy appearance.
Because the plant is self-heading with huge leaves, it naturally forms an enormous bush even with just a handful of leaves.
Pruning is recommended for Philodendron giganteum only when they are mature plants that have developed multiple terminals.
Potting is a Philodendron giganteum
The Philodendron giganteum can be grown in a small pot since they’re extremely happy to be in a root-bound.
Its roots grow very well. They tend to form tight clumps such as bricks, stones, or even bark.
They will be growing out of drain holes. It is necessary to repot them when they are top-heavy and their roots take up the pot. Take the plant as well as the root ball, and transfer the plant to a larger pot.
In the case of larger plants, repotting could be necessary only every 3 to 5 years. Repotting should only be done during the spring and summer seasons.
How can you propagate Philodendron giganteum Step-by-Step Instructions
The nursery workers propagate self-heading philodendrons using seeds or via tissue cultivation. Both methods are generally not suitable for home-based gardeners.
I will share my experiences with you regarding what works for my situation. When propagating, the most important rule in Philodendron giganteum care is to only do it during the growing season when the temperature is moderately warm and the humidity is high to moderate. Spring is the best time for propagation.
Propagate Philodendron giganteum derived from plantlets
1. If you have an older Philodendron giganteum in your garden, You can search for small plantlets on the plant’s soil end where the stem is visible when the old leaves are sloughed off.
2. The node will pop an oblong.
3. You can allow the plantlet to expand until the stem appears. That could take several months, according to the environment it is growing in.
4. Sometimes, the plantlet will grow aerial roots.
5. If you want to, you can apply an air-layering method (described in the next section) to expand the roots further.
6. Once the roots have grown long enough, they can be planted in the soil.
The plant’s nature dictates whether it is possible to propagate it in a manner in this manner or not and at what time.
How do you lay down your Online Philodendron
1. You’ll require a 6″ translucent plastic bag and sphagnum and some flexible tie.
2. Find small aerial root projections within your older leaf nodes at the base of your plant.
3. Create a few tiny holes in the bottom of your plastic bag, then add a handful of damp Sphagnum moss in the middle.
4. Cut off the top edge from the bag, so you have flaps to move around a stem.
5. We’ll now move closer to the plants. One hand holds the moss, soaked in water, inside the plastic bag and presses it against the aerial root of the stem. Do not break the root.
Utilizing a free hand, wrap these plastic flaps on the stem. Attach the moss bag to the stem using knots that twist, creating a lovely damp moss cocoon for the roots to expand into.
6. Make sure the peat moss cocoon isn’t slipping over the root.
7. Ensure the moss is kept damp by watering the holes in the plastic.
8. After a few weeks, you’ll see the roots have morphed into the form of moss.
9. Remove the plastic and moss with care, taking care not to break the roots you have created.
10. With a sharp pair of garden scissors, cut the stem just below the new roots, then separate the cutting.
11. The cutting can be replanted using the guidelines within the chapter on the ideal conditions suitable for the Philodendron giganteum.
12. Place the cutting in the shade and ensure the soil is wet until the plant has established itself.
13. Continue care for Philodendron giganteum like the parent plant.
14. Pro tip: for greater chances of success, do this with multiple nodes simultaneously so that, at a minimum, one of them gets root.
The growth of the Philodendron giganteum from the basal branches
1. Again, the plant determines whether you can propagate it in this manner or not.
2. Mother plants will grow from the base with the branch, which will shoot roots into the soil.
3. Once the roots have been established, you can cut off the branch attached to the plant in its main.
4. You’ll be able to tell when the roots are established because they are securely fixed in the soil when you tug on them.
Most Common Issues With Philodendron giganteum
Patches of irregularly tan spots in the leaf
It could be caused by the presence of bacterial infections as observed in Philodendron giganteum, such as Erwinia disease and Pseudomonas leaves the spot.
You can determine whether the disease is bacterial by plants’ unpleasant smell. The disease is usually seen in smaller plants and is believed to have less severity for larger plants grown in the soil.
The bacterial infection requires moisture to propagate. The first step is to remove the plant from others in the garden. Remove those affected by the disease, reduce irrigation and cease misting your plant. Ensure the leaves are dry or let them dry quickly to stop the spread.
Bactericides are not typically required.
Black patches that appear on leaves
It could be caused by exposure to a cold draft. Remove the damaged leaves, then move the plant into a more shady spot.
A sudden wilting of the leaves or yellowing occurs due to root rot caused by overwatering or an infection caused by fungal organisms in the roots. Make sure to check the base of the plant as soon as you notice it. I would save some cuttings and attempt to grow them in a new pot using clean, well-draining soil.
Leaves of yellow or brown leaves
If you notice the edges becoming dry and brown, you’re in the middle of a watery situation. If your leaves begin to turn yellow and the soil feels spongy, it could indicate overwatering.
Pale color
Leaves that don’t have a distinctive dark green color usually indicate low lighting. The plant should be moved to a brighter area.
Common pests
If you are growing Philodendron giganteum, pests and insects need not be a cause to be concerned about.
The most frequent pests of the species of this plant include Aphids moths (worms), fungus the gnats, mealybugs scales, shore flies, and thrips.
The most effective method of control is to use soap regularly for insecticides and the oil of neem once every month or as directed in the product.
My routine of care for Philodendron giganteum to control pests includes washing the leaves using water jets once per week when I water the plant and drying them.
The more severe infestations require more careful treatment, which typically involves chemicals.
Tips to ensure that the Philodendron giganteum remains free of problems
Here are some tips for caring for the Philodendron giganteum I’ve learned over time.
1. Keep the temperature at or above 70degF (21degC) throughout the day and at any time over 55degF (13degC).
2. Direct or dappled sunlight is the most suitable light for the growth of the Philodendron giganteum.
3. Philodendron giganteum thrives better when used as a liquid fertilizer than solid fertilizer. It is best to use organic.
4. Make sure the soil is evenly moist throughout the growing seasons.
5. Regularly wash the leaves to avoid dust and pest accumulation. Make sure you dry the leaves following washing.
6. A high humidity level can encourage the growth of lush plants and glossy foliage, which is why it’s ideal to regularly spray the plant with mist.
7. Develop Philodendron giganteum inside a small planter.
8. If you want to grow a Philodendron giganteum inside a pot, make sure that the pot is made from heavy material such as ceramic. The plant becomes super heavy and is prone to overturn.
9. Repotting is best done in spring, just before the plants grow vigorously.
10. Philodendron giganteum is suitable for planting outdoors when the weather permits it.
11. Plant Philodendron giganteum on an elevated surface or in a slightly higher section of your garden. This allows not only drainage but also allows for the leaves to spread easily.
Commonly asked questions regarding Philodendron giganteum.
Are Philodendron giganteum harmful to cats?
The plant is harmful to cats and dogs. The plant has insoluble calcium Oxalate crystals, like other plants of the Araceae family.
Ingestion of the plant releases crystals, which can cause irritation and tissue penetration: in the mouth and the GI tract.
Pets who eat any of the plants can show vomiting, pawing the mouth, a lack of appetite, or drooling.
Can you cultivate the Philodendron giganteum seeds?
Technically, yes. However, the plant needs to flower, and when they are placed in pots indoors, they seldom bloom.
The seeds are not long-lasting unless it is processed properly as well as vacuum-packed.
This is the usual method used by professional nursery farmers and not gardeners at home. Fans.
How can I make Philodendron giganteum appear more full?
This kind of self-heading Philodendrons doesn’t respond well to pruning.
The best way to give it a full appearance is to provide it with enough fertilizer that stimulates the growth of foliage.
Additionally, the Philodendron giganteum is a huge leafy plant. Just the leaves could take space.
Do you need to spray Philodendron giganteum?
Regularly showering on the plants using water and applying insecticide soap will repel pests.
Additionally, because philodendrons are tropical, they also have more humidity, which can encourage the growth of lush foliage and shiny leaves.
Be on the lookout for bacterial infections that can are spread by moisture.
Conclusion On Philodendron Giganteum Care
If you’re a fan of large leafy tropicals, as I am, you must plant Philodendron giganteum.
The greatest joy of growing Philodendron giganteum is watching the shiny younger leaves grow and unfold into gigantic, bright green giants, much larger than the leaves of older species.
This is the case if you plant it outside in a big pot or on the soil. The plant can be grown Philodendron giganteum in pots to use indoors.
Different kinds of philodendrons are better for this climate that can be explored.
I suggest you explore Philodendron Brandtianum and Philodendron Billietiae on our website. Both are more suitable for indoor environments. Have fun growing!
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